Easy Baked Potato Recipe

If you’ve ever wondered how to make the perfect baked potato, you’re in the right place! This Easy Baked Potato Recipe is simple, foolproof, and absolutely delicious. You’ll get that golden, crispy skin and light, fluffy inside every time — no fancy equipment needed.

Perfect as a quick side dish, a base for loaded potatoes, or even a cozy main course, these oven-baked potatoes are truly a kitchen classic. With just three ingredients and a few easy steps, you’ll have a meal that’s budget-friendly, family-approved, and endlessly customizable.

There’s nothing quite like a perfectly baked potato. Fluffy on the inside, crispy on the outside, and served with all your favorite toppings.

This baked potato recipe is my go-to for busy weeknights and family dinners. Whether you’re serving them as a simple side dish or loaded with bacon or chili and making them the main dish, these baked potatoes come out perfect each time!

How to make these Easy Baked Potatoes:

Making a baked potato is simple and delicious! Start by scrubbing russet potatoes clean and pricking them with a fork. Rub each one with olive oil and sea salt for perfectly crispy skin. Bake directly on the oven rack at 450°F for 45–60 minutes, until the skin is golden and a fork slides in easily. The result is a crispy-on-the-outside, fluffy-on-the-inside baked potato that’s perfect for loading with your favorite toppings like butter, sour cream, cheese, or chives.

Ingredient Notes:

To make baked potatoes you only these simple ingredients.

• Russet potatoes: You can use this method with sweet potatoes as well.
• Salt: I prefer using a coarse salt for these baked potatoes.
• Oil: You can use any oil you have on hand and enjoy using. I prefer olive oil.

How do I make baked potato?

Step One: Get started by preheating your oven to 450 degrees F. Prepare a baking sheet with foil and set aside.

Step Two: Now you can prepare your potatoes. Wash them well then pierce them with a fork several times.

Once they are done place potatoes on prepared baking sheet.

Step Three: Brush potatoes with oil and rub with salt. You can use more or less salt to taste.

Step Four: Bake for 20 minutes and remove from the oven. Carefully brush with oil and place it back in the oven.

Step Five: Keep baking for an additional 25-30 minutes. Once your potatoes are cooked through remove them from oven.

Step Six: When the potato is cool enough to handle slice and top with desired toppings.

FAQ and Tips

Can I make a baked potato in the microwave? Yes, a microwave would get the job done. But if you want a potato with crispy skin then baking is the better option. Here is my recipe for Microwave Baked Potatoes.

Can I slow cook a baked potato? Yes! I love this method. It’s perfect for busy days. Toss them in and don’t worry about it until it’s time to eat.

If you want to slow cook your potato read more about it here, How to Slow Cook a Baked Potato.

Should I wrap my potato in foil? Skip the foil if you want a crispy potato skin.

I add foil to my baking sheet but wrapping your potato and closing the foil will create steam which will make the entire potato soft. If you want a crispy you don’t want foil.

How can you serve a baked potato? Serve them with butter, sour cream, cheese, bacon, and chives for a fully loaded baked potato.

I’ve also served them topped with chili or broccoli and cheese.

Try some of my other Baked Potato Recipes:

Air Fryer Baked Potatoes – These Air Fryer Baked Potatoes are crispy on the outside and perfectly cooked on the inside. The outer skin is perfectly salted making this one of the best Baked Potato recipes.

Slow Cooker Baked Potatoes – The easiest side dish or a perfect lunch. No work for you because these Slow Cooker Baked Potatoes are wrapped up in seasonings and in the slow cooker for hours. Add your favorite toppings and enjoy. 

Loaded Baked Potato Casserole – This Loaded Baked Potato Casserole is one of my favorite side dish recipes. It’s so easy to make and tastes amazing.

If you tried any of my recipes I would love to hear from you, leave me a comment below. You can also connect with me on FACEBOOK, INSTAGRAM, and PINTEREST. I would love for you to follow along and discover more amazing recipes.

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